Ballet to Business

As Emily Pearson turned to Yoga to wind down after a taxing day of rehearsals as a Principal Dancer with Ballet West, she realized just how much of her time was spent living out of yoga clothes. Totally relatable! With athleisure on the rise, we all know how functional & comfortable yoga clothes can be, however are our purchases for ‘fast fashion’ the most ethical? Enter State of Bodhi, an organic and eco-friendly, zero waste fashion company for women and little ones.   *Expand Online Summit for Artists May 4-8 Save Your Free Seat

I know MANY of us are feeling this loss right now! Performances we were looking forward to, cancelled. Roles we were had been hoping to experience, no longer happening. Student showcases, senior performances both in high school and college.. It is loss and it is so disappointing. I understand this disappointment. And I know from experience it can either breed a root of bitterness inside of you or it can serve as a reminder to keep you focused on the current day you’ve been given rather than becoming bitter about what would’ve been. So in today’s episode I’ll be sharing what these 5 stages of loss have felt like in my own life and how you can effectively cope through them.  And then afterward, I’ll be sharing how I’ve personally have been going through this season of quarantine.  - With all that's been lost, what we have been given is TIME. I needed not only time to create this podcast, but education. Join me in attending the Expand Online Summit for Artists May 4-8th to learn just how you can make your ideas

Today’s show is really special as my friend Claudia Suarez, a beautiful young, Venezuelan born dancer, is an incredible entrepreneur in her own right Not only was I inspired by her when I found her on Instagram, but I was impressed by her, because I then learned how she not only is pursuing ballet with full vigor, but she is an avid writer on her own blog and had started a podcast called Beyond the Corps, a podcast where she hosts meaningful, dance-related conversations. In this episode: Claudia and I discuss 'A Dancer's Plan B', is it possible to be prepared for the time of transition, why it's difficult, & tips on how to get started.  jordannicoleh.com/blog/adancersplanb

On today’s show Jordan Samuel Pacitti shares how when he went on his own quest to learn how to clear his complexion, his passion for skincare turned into his post ballet career, as he founded his skincare company Jordan Samuel Skin. SHOWNOTES

It's a difficult time in our world. Business as usual has been halted, theaters abandoned, performances cancelled, and a virus running rampant. And if you're feeling the loss, feeling disoriented and lonely, I understand. Through difficult seasons in my life I've turned to journaling and on today's episode I'll share with you 2 Journal Prompts to help you get pen to paper so you can gain clarity amidst all the confusion. Instagram: @jordannicoleh @ballettobusiness

 On today’s show we have Elana Roberts with us, a San Francisco native who worked her way up through the San Francisco Ballet School from level one all the way to reaching the rank of soloist with the company. But it took leaving San Francisco to spend almost a year abroad studying in Italy, to truly help her see all the potential she had back at home waiting for her… from ballet to farming to bookkeeping, here’s Elana Roberts.  SHOWNOTES this episode of Ballet to Business is supported by  Jai-Dee-Dancewear 

After a full career of dancing principal roles with Atlanta Ballet and Joffrey Ballet, Julianne Spratlin moved to San Francisco to join SFB in 2007. And although she did move for ballet, she most certainly did not move with the expectation to stay and start her own ballet school! Hear how she did it on today's episode!  "Just like the school I grew up in, if you want to learn, we'll train you. I don't care what you look like or what your aspirations are, if you want to learn, I'll teach you. That just didn't exist in San Francisco" - Julianne Spratlin founder of Dance Training Center/SF SHOWNOTES

Hear how an opportunity to compete in NYC opened the door for our guest Diana Albrecht to move from South America to the United States to pursue ballet professionally. And how now she gives back to her home country, Paraguay, by giving artisans from there an opportunity to have their products sold in the US through her home decor & accessories company, Apartment No. 3. View her beautiful products here: SHOWNOTES SHOP: https://apartmentno3.com and enter the code "ballettobusiness" at checkout for 15% off your purchase!

Getting injured can be one of the most disappointing times for a dancer. As tough as this past year has been recovering from an extensive ankle surgery, I will say, had it not happened, I don't think this podcast would've been made possible.  On today's episode, I'll be sharing how I came back to the stage for the first time in a year since my injury! And then I'll be answering YOUR questions on the topic of injury and performing! SHOWNOTES Instagram : @jordannicoleh

My Oh My.. it’s been a rough couple of weeks for me and I apologize for my delay in being able to produce an episode. I got the flu … and I could hardly believe it. Completely wiped me out and I’m just now starting to come out of hibernation. So thank you for your patience! Speaking of prouducing… and podcasting. This episode is a special one. I was honored to be invited on with Jayne and Kalena of On The Other Foot Podcast, and I’ll be sharing an interview we did together with you all today!  In this episode, we discuss the ins and outs of podcasting. Jayne & Kalena ask me about what inspired me to start Ballet to Business, how my guests and the knowledge I’ve gained from them have affected me, what some of the challenges I’ve faced with podcasting have been, and how podcasting has changed me as a person.   To listen to Part 2 of my interview with On The Other Foot on the topic of Injury, click here!   SHOWNOTES

Hear how Ashlyn's first love of telling stories through ballet and movement, later became her business, as she learned to tell compelling stories through her words & teaches others to do the same, by founding her business, Ashlyn Writes, Copywriting for Creatives. SHOWNOTES *with links to freebies like 'How to Find Your Brand Voice' and the 'How to Guide to Batch-Theme Days' 

SHOWNOTES Growing up, Josephine watched her mom start multiple businesses including a successful dance retail store, so when she found herself opening her own store after college, she assumed she had it figured out by way of watching her mom. However, what she didn’t realize, was that in 2011, brick and mortar stores were slowly beginning to become a ‘dying industry’.  Dance Retail stores were closing left and right and here Josephine was, stuck in a 5 year lease, and feeling like a prisoner to her business.  Until she had a change of perspective. Her mom said, “ You can either view your store as a jail cell or as your castle”. And from then on, Josephine began to expand her mind as to what her business could become beyond the blueprint of the stereotypical retail store model. Not long after that, she realized, “Oh my gosh, I have customers driving 4 to 5 hours , just to come visit me and get fitted for a pair of pointe shoes!”  Which led her down the path of asking herself, “How can I better serve them? By b

In the summer of 2016, our guest on todays show, Talia Bailes, assisted with emergent literacy research at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and was shocked to learn that if students are behind in academics by third grade, they will most likely continue to stay behind for the rest of their lives. So when Talia learned that being exposed to reading at a young age could drastically improve children’s futures, she was spurred into action to figure out how to create a program that would help improve children’s literacy, thus creating Ballet and Books. SHOWNOTES

How a surprising offer to become a Trainee with the company our guest, Kirsten Evans, had been admiring since she was 11 years old, was just the beginning to thread this beauty tapestry of sorts, where her passion for ballet as a dancer with Festival Ballet of Providence weaved in and out with her love of writing as she began her blog, Setting the Barre.  Now 10 years in to maintaining this beautiful outlet, Kirsten has cultivated a beautiful community in collaborating with Rubia Wear, Zarely, Apolla Shocks, Wonderful World of Dance, and the Vail Dance Festival.   SHOWNOTES   This episode is supported by: Jai Dee Dancewear : a sustainable leotard company celebrating the beauty, value and wisdom of women who dance. Jai Dee Dancewear ‘s founder Katherine Hartsell was featured in episode 009 The Come Back Stronger Course : If your injury has made you feel worthless, like you don’t know who you are anymore when you aren’t dancing like you used to or if your recovery just feels like a waste of time… this online c

On today's show, Kelsey Kemp will be sharing her story of honestly wrestling with work; the meaning behind it and what she was meant to do with her life. After spending the bulk of her adolescence devoted to classical ballet, at 18 years old she decided to let go of the dream of becoming a professional due to repetitive injuries. So with her determined spirit, she dove straight into her college career scored a coveted job as an Emerging Technology Consultant fresh out of Business School. But when the stress piled on which ultimately led to a health scare, Kelsey started asking herself questions, "Is this really what I was meant to do?" And when she realized she wasn't alone in asking these questions surrounding work, Kelsey decided to become a professional career coach & launched her own 1 on 1 service based business, helping people identify their unique calling and create a career aligned with it.   SHOWNOTES "How to Identify Your Core Values Guide" This episode is supported by: Jai Dee Dancewear : a sus

1:10 What dancer has inspired you in your career? What teacher has inspired you in your career? 8:10 What is your biggest tip for partnering? For males & females? 13:55 What is your favorite ballet you’ve danced together? Or wish you had? 21:00 Girls always say guys in the ballet world have it easier (in terms of getting and keeping a job) Do you agree or find any truth in this? 25:10 How does your faith impact your art? 31:00 How do you keep God at the center with ballet? 37:15 What is one character trait that ballet has instilled in you that you’re grateful for today?   SHOWNOTES Instagram @jordannicoleh This episode is supported by Jai Dee Dancewear ; a sustainable leotard company celebrating the beauty, wisdom, and value of women who dance.  Founded by Katherine Hartsell, guest on episode 009

11:30 What was it like growing up with brothers who dance? 16:00 How did you commit to staying to train at SF Ballet School? 21:00 How did you & Ray meet? 23:00 How did being a Trainee help you become a professional? 27:00 Did you feel ready to become a professional? What was your experience at SFB? 34:50 What is the dating word like in ballet? What are the pros and cons of dating a dancer? 36:40 What about Ray drew me to him? 42:15 What about Jordan drew him to me?   SHOWNOTES Instagram @jordannicoleh   This episode is supported by Jai Dee Dancewear ; a sustainable leotard company celebrating the beauty, wisdom, and value of women who dance.  Founded by Katherine Hartsell, guest on episode 009 Ballet to Business is also supported by The Come Back Stronger Course Giving dancers the support, resources, and mindset tools they need to successfully recover from injury. Created by Kirsten Kemp, guest on episode 015

Benjamin Stewart will be sharing with us how throughout his journey through training at Julliard & dancing professionally with San Francisco Ballet, he’d find himself coming back to playing the piano time & time again, composing his own music, which eventually led to him creating the meaningful project he sustains today, the NameSong Project. SHOWNOTES Instagram: @namesongproject  

On this episode, Hannah Foster, will be sharing with us her story of how through the highs and lows of pursuing ballet, her love of writing remained a constant thread through it all. Which has led her to where she is today as a freelance arts and culture writer in New York City, with her work featured in publications such as Dance Magazine, Pointe, The Paris Review Daily, and The New York Times. As well as on her blog: The Escriotoire SHOWNOTES   instagram: @jordannicoleh

When Instagram emerged on the scene in October of 2010, none of us had a clue how a simple photo sharing app, would become such an opportunity generator! 9 years in, and we hear stories like Alison’s, where her intention of just having ‘fun’ on the platform, began garnering her quite the following.  And when she began receiving e-mails from big brand names such as Tumi Luggage, Elle Magazine, American Eagle, and McDonald’s… she realized her Instagram was more than just a fun outlet, it was an online resume. SHOWNOTES Instagram: @alisonstroming @as.dancewear